A few weeks back, technology oriented director James Cameron surprised many by saying that he would no longer be investing time in producing films for other people, and instead focus solely on expanding the world of Avatar. While we knew he was set to make two more sequels scheduled for release in 2014, and 2015 – it now seems that the man who reinvented 3D and seems to be re-wrting the book on the technology that’s being used to make and present films, is now keen on extending the fantastical world of the blue-skinned Na’vi into a new trilogy.
Here’s what he said last month speaking with the New York Times.
I’ve divided my time over the last 16 years over deep ocean exploration and filmmaking. I’ve made two movies in 16 years, and I’ve done eight expeditions. Last year I basically completely disbanded my production company’s development arm. So I’m not interested in developing anything. I’m in theAvatar business. Period. That’s it. I’m makingAvatar, Avatar 2, Avatar 3, maybe Avatar 4, and I’m not going to produce other people’s movies for them. I’m not interested in taking scripts. And that all sounds I suppose a little bit restricted, but the point is I think within the Avatar landscape I can say everything I need to say that I think needs to be said, in terms of the state of the world and what I think we need to be doing about it. And doing it in an entertaining way. And anything I can’t say in that area, I want to say through documentaries, which I’m continuing.
Producer Jon Landau recently admitted that the extra preparation time needed will likely make the sequels unable to make their scheduled release dates. As part of his preparation for the new films, Cameron has been visiting the ocean floor in a revolutionary single-pilot Deepsea Challenger submersible which he’s been capturing in high-resolution 3D video. The new films are said to incorporate Pandora’s underwater life and so this research will surely allow the film-maker to better visualize this aspect.
Now Sigourney Weaver who’s character supposedly died in Avatar, confirms that not only will her character return, but also enlightens fans as to what James Cameron is planning. Speaking with Roger Friedman over at Showbiz 411, the reporter explained the news which Weaver broke about the three Avatar sequels on the horizon:
She goes right into a new Christopher Durang play for a short run at Lincoln Center. Then she films Avatar 2, 3, and 4 with James Cameron. That’s right: they’re making three sequels to the blue 3D phenom all at the same time. Weaver says she has no idea how long it will take, or how it’s going to work. “I just show up,” she said.
With the time needed to complete the post-production and with filming scheduled to begin later this year, expect to see Avatar 2 by late 2015.
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